The blueberry and blackberry seasons in Mexico are nearing the end and growers are now preparing for the end of harvest in a month. Blackberries are expected to be in short supply from now until the end of May. This is due to a reduction in plant yields attributed to growers neglecting to replace older plants.
"We are very close to the end of the season now," observed Gerardo Lopez of Berry Lovers. "There are five to six weeks remaining of the harvest and shipping and then the season is done until October when the rainy season finishes."
"It's been a fairly stable season up until now on blackberries," he said. "However, we are now faced with an unexpected shortage which will remain until the end of the season. Therefore, there is not going to be a peak as traditionally occurs and we expect a strong market for the last four to five weeks of the season. Many suppliers of blackberries are independent growers and a large proportion have not replaced old and tired plants. The older plants do not yield as much fruit."
Blueberries
Mexican blueberries also follows the seasonal shifts, and as the rainy season arrives, expect to see blueberries finishing up as well. For Berry Lovers, it was their first big crop and Lopez said the season was very positive.
"The blueberry season is also winding down," he noted. "April will be the last month with strong volume, with a halving of production in May as the rainy season approaches. It was our first big crop and Berry Lovers have produced 550,000kg so far. We are very pleased with the results of our first big season and the acceptance of our berries has been very good. Mexico grown berries are building preference and we have been able to compete with Florida in the US and Canadian markets."
UK demand rising
A significant portion of the blueberries Berry Lovers grew in Mexico were sent to the UK. According to Lopez, the demand for blueberries is very high, with plenty of room in the market for Mexico growers.
"Berry Lovers began blueberry shipments to the UK in January, sending a total of 150 tons, all of it by air," Lopez shared. "We send blueberries to the UK in bulk, where they repack it according to each retailer's preferences. Demand in the UK has been growing at such a fast pace that Chile and Peru are not keeping up. The opportunities for our air shipments program will remain for next season."
Planning for next season
He noted that the reputation for blueberries grown in Mexico has improved and consumers are now showing a preference for the Mexico-grown berries. And with UK demand as it is, Berry Lovers are already preparing for the next season.
"Blueberries grown in Mexico are now being benchmarked against Peru, with a preference shown towards the Mexico berries," Lopez said. "As UK demand has been very good, Berry Lovers is building a program for next season, both by sea and air. We are looking to start as soon as December."
For more information:
Gerardo Lopez
Berry Lovers
Tel: +1 (305) 407-3891